Injustice mostly felt by poor, Sereno says

MANILA, Philippines — Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno lamented that it is the poor who are vulnerable to injustice.

"It is injustice that hits the poor mostly," Sereno said Monday in a media forum in Quezon City.

The chief justice shared that she grew up in the Kamuning area and is not indifferent to the plight of the poor.

"When I was young, I already have a concept of fairness. I know when power is being abused," said Sereno in a mix of English and Filipino.

She warned: "For every injustice done to a breadwinner in a family, you destroy fine lives."

Sereno illustrated how one man might be framed, stripped off of dignity and be jailed "without proper investigation." She said this man's wife would scour every district for her husband and eventually lose her job. Their children would be forced to look after one another and quit school.

"When kicked out of school, in his or her young mind, [his or her] future has been ruined," Sereno said.

"Young people will start thinking dark thoughts. So there are a few things in life that are very very important and one is justice," the chief justice said.

"So I was thinking if bread is so important to our people, if the need for bread is a heartfelt need, what more [is] justice," Sereno said, stressing that the soul would not be fed properly if there is injustice.

'Justice should come alive for Filipinos'

The chief magistrate also moved for the public to do their part and tell people in positions of authority "what justice means to the ordinary people and help monitor or track the reform program of the justice sector."

"That is why I am here, to hammer on the significance of justice," Sereno said, adding that to fill one's spiritual and psychological being is just as important as filling one's physical hunger.

READ: Impeachment against Sereno raises political questions

Sereno urged the people to open a program that would explain justice to the larger audience.

"We have always wanted fairness. We wanted clear rules, that's why we need to help each other, help the nation for the ordinary Filipinos."

Sereno is currently facing an impeachment complaint filed by Duterte Youth lawyer Larry Gadon. The complaint has already hurdled the House Committee on Justice as it was deemed sufficient in form and substance.

Gadon has accused Sereno of committing corruption, violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust and other high crimes.

Sereno has always maintained her innocence and has since promised that she would continue executing her duties as the chief magistrate of the land.

READ: 'Serene' Sereno on impeachment: Truth is on my side